Instagram is testing a new feature that could enable users to catch up on older stories from accounts they follow, even after the initial 24-hour period has ended. According to a recent report, the Meta-owned platform is piloting a function that would allow users to view Story Highlights from mutual followers for a week after their posting. However, this feature will only be applicable to stories that users have saved as Highlights.
Instagram Explores New Story Highlights Viewing Option
As reported by TechCrunch, Instagram is currently showing select users unseen Story Highlights from their mutual connections. A spokesperson from Meta confirmed this new testing phase. The feature was initially brought to light by social media analyst Ahmed Ghanem.
With this upcoming functionality, Instagram users can expect to access highlights from the week prior, which will be displayed at the end of the Story tray located at the top of their feeds. To view these older highlights, users must first scroll through all the current stories. If an individual’s feed is filled with stories, there might be instances where they never reach the end and consequently miss the opportunity to see these older highlights.
It is important to note that this feature is exclusive to Story Highlights that have been saved by the original poster. Regular older stories, which disappear after 24 hours, will not be included. This adjustment is anticipated to minimize the chances of users missing important updates from their social networks, particularly amid the increasing prevalence of sponsored content.
Currently, this feature is being tested on a limited scale, with plans for a broader rollout to all Instagram users worldwide.
In related news, the social networking giant has also introduced a new feature that allows users to schedule direct messages. This capability, which permits the scheduling of text-only messages via DMs, is accessible to users on both iOS and Android devices.
